Bill and Barb … where to next?

Our last weekend in Kentucky was filled with a taste of fall, horses and bourbon.

We went to the annual “Festival of the horse” in Georgetown.  Listened to some good bluegrass bands and browsed many vendor tents.

The parade was nice and we missed a severe storm by minutes as it concluded.

We also visited some more apple orchards in our travels this weekend.

We also came across another distillery.  The Woodford Reserve is the oldest and smallest distillery in Kentucky.  They manufacture an American brand of premium small batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Today we took a final ride through the rolling hills and high ridges of the back roads. Don’t think I’d ever get use to the narrow roads and drop off shoulders but …. Oh so beautiful!!

We came upon a group of cows along side a road so we stopped to let Speckles see them (Mel was napping).  Surprisingly they all moved back away from me!! Must have thought I was the butcher’s wife!!

Thank you Kentucky! We loved visiting you!! (Taking some awsome KY samples along with us!)

Next stop … Nashville, TN!

Yesterday we met up with some friends from Frog Creek RV Resort.  We all had lunch at “Ted’s Montana Grill” in Lexington, KY.  It was great seeing Ed and Laura as well as Carol and Larry!!

I had a bison burger which was delicious!!  Looking forward to seeing y’all again in Florida this winter.

Today, we ventured to “Evans Orchard and Cider Mill” in Georgetown, KY with hopes of picking some apples; however, they were not allowing u-pick yet so we just bought a few macintosh apples and Bill got his “apple cider donuts”.  My dad and mom owned and operated Deering Ridge Apple Orchard in Hollis Center Maine.  I have fond memories of picking apples!

We then drove some back roads around Lexington in search of horses. Kentucky has rolling hills, green grass and plenty of horse farms!!

In our travels today, we came upon this KY beauty!!  Her mom graciously allowed me to photograph her.  Such a cutie!!

We traveled to the state capital of Kentucky, “Frankfort”.  It’s a small town with a lot of history.

Also in Frankfort we visited the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

So, you’re all asking “what about the boo-boos”!  What are those?  Well, they are a delicacy in Kentucky that are actually healthy for you … dark chocolate, cream, pecans and … BOURBON!!  Oh my!  Can you spell ‘delicious’?  “Boo-Boos” are the rejects as we have been told.  What that means is they cost alot less money!

We visited the “Rebecca Ruth Chocolate Factory” in Frankfort, KY. All I can say is YUM!

We followed some of the “Buffalo Gals Barn Quilt Trail” this morning and found quite a few barns.  Quilt squares (8-foot or 4-foot) are painted on barns, yards and fences along roads surrounding Stamping Ground, KY.

This afternoon we visited the “Kentucky Horse Park” in Lexington, KY.  We walked through the “International Museum of the Horse” as well as “The Showplace for Saddlebreds”.

We watched the Breeds Barn Show and saw various breeds and riders.

Bill got some horse action going on as well!

As did I …

Fun day,,,,, great scenery,,,,, lov’n Kentucky!

Of course we visited a distillery our first day in Georgetown.  All roads lead to Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries in this area … Buffalo Trace, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Town Branch, Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve … just to name a few!

We toured & tasted at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY today.  It was very interesting to learn how the different warehouses and charred barrels come into play to make various bourbons.

So, after the tastings, it was decided straight Bourbon would not be our drink of choice … HOWEVER … the “Bourbon Cream” could very well be addicting and dangerous!

We are fortunate to be staying at Whispering Hills RV Resort in Georgetown, KY for a few days.  Have to say this is one of the nicest Campgrounds we have been at.  The grounds are nicely laid out and the office staff are friendly and helpful.

We’ve even befriended a few of the locals …

And finally ,,,, seeing signs of fall around.

After a rough day, we have finally settled in Georgetown, KY.

Our route hit a pitfall as we entered Louisville, KY due to construction and detours.  We found ourselves downtown Louisville in the RV!!! Fun? Not!

Our initial destination was to be Frankfort, KY but the campground there was less than desirable and I was not comfortable there… so we left.

 Fortunately, we were able to get into this campground which is so much better.  We are on the edge of a lake which is very peaceful and relaxing.

Passed this sign along the way…. seriously?!? I think not!

             Where to next Bill ???

                     Stay tuned!!

Our stay in Indiana is coming to an end.  We’ve journeyed North to Indianapolis, West to Bloomington, East to Seymour and South to Medora.

In Indianapolis, we visited the Speedway.  There were no races but they did have a large Mustang Meet going on.

We arrived in Nashville, Indiana which is located in Brown County Indiana, just an hour south of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Nashville is known to many country music fans as “Little Nashville” because it was home to The Little Nashville Opry for 25 years, before it was destroyed by fire.

We explored Nashville which has many many shops.  Wish the weather wasn’t so hot and humid though.  It’s been in the 90’s for us for a week!

We had lunch at “Out-of-the-Ordinary Restaurant”.  Very good food and reasonably priced.

We then traveled to Gnaw Bone, IN to the Bear Wallow Distillery.  It is one of the first craft distilleries in Indiana. They use only locally grown grains to make unique Indiana Spirits in an old-fashioned copper pot still.

Enjoyed tasting some Raspberry infused moonshine!

We arrived in New Richmond Ohio friday.  I’ve never seen so many corn and soy bean fields in my life. … and flat lands.  When we crossed into Ohio there were literally hundreds of wind turbines.

We are staying at the River Pines RV Resort thanks to Karen & Ron!  It’s a private resort but their neighbors allowed us to stay on their site while they have their fifth wheel out for repairs.  It’s a great site … complete with a motorcycle for Bill and a golf cart for me (but, alas… they didn’t leave us keys to either)!

We went outdoor target shooting at Ron’s aunt & uncle Anna & Paul’s home! That was awsome!! Outdoor is so much better than indoor shooting! Met their pup “Mugs”!

We visited the “Cat House” and Barn where Karen’s horse Tango is boarded along with two others, Tecumseh & Tank.  Don’t know all the names of the kitties!

Then, had a nice lunch on the river at “Skippers River Cafe”!

Yesterday we met up with some of our Frog Creek friends who live locally and had an awsome dinner at a German restaurant, “Kreimer’s Beir Haus” in Cleve’s, OH.  I had “Schnitzel” with “Schwein” sauce.  Delicious! It was great seeing Ray & Judy, Rick & Deb, Bob & Marguerite along with Ron & Karen.

Thanks for the Kentucky treats Judy!! The “corn” was delicious for lunch today (with a ‘lil bit of butter)!

We ended our visit with Ron & Karen by visiting “Jungle Jim’s International Market”.  That was interesting seeing food from all over the world!

Our visit to Ohio wouldn’t have been complete without tasting Cincinnati chili! Went to the “Skyline Restaurant” to try some “3-way” ( spaghetti, chili and cheddar cheese)! SO GOOD!

Thanks Ron & Karen for a great visit and taste of Ohio and the river valley! See you Daisy, Abbey and Izzy in Florida!

It’s been a rewarding 5 days here in Shipshewana, IN.  Alas, we get ready to journey again.  Tomorrow we head to Ohio (near Cincinnati) to visit with good friends.

We did get to the Shipshewana Flea Market & Auction along with many others including amish.  No real treasures found.

In exploring the area, we found the “Guggisberg Cheese Factory”.  We aren’t very impressed with the amish cheese as it doesn’t seem sharp enough.

The “Dutch Country Market” had alot of amish goods. Neat stuff (minus the bees making honey).

We took a ride back to Michigan (White Pigeon) to “Bontrager’s RV Surplus”.  Didn’t find what we were looking for but an experience to visit. Everything imaginable!

Back In Shipshewana … one place everyone visiting needs to visit is “Eash Sales Markets”. What GREAT places to shop!!!

We traveled to Elkhardt, IN and took a manufacturing tour of the “Thor Motor Coach” plant. They were making the RUVs Gemini, Axis, Vegas and Compass.  It was very interesting seeing the different stages of assembly.

Today we went in search of “Woodruff, Indiana”!!

We traveled through dirt roads and fields …

 

We found it!! This is the town green!

And, this is the town church.

“Speckles and Mel” had to get in on this special place.

“Ben” seems busy in town with a bakery as well as soft pretzels.

Stopped to see (and ring) the largest corinthians bell chimes ever seen!!

Had a great time in Indiana mingling with the amish. Looking forward to our continued adventures as we inch our way south.

 

We arrived in Shipshewana, Indiana yesterday.  Appear to be once again in the heart of amish country … just not Pennsylvania this time.

We checked out the immediate area (tourist traps) and went to “Yoder’s Red Barn” as well as “Yoder’s Meat Shoppe”.   Bill found his zagnuts which he loves.  Also picked up some treats at the “Victorian Candy Co”.

We also went to “E & S Bulk Foods”.  Must be a popular amish store with the amount of buggies parked outside.  I picked up some bulk walnuts and bulk tapioca.

Saw alot of “amish outhouses” which are actually phone booths since the amish can’t have phones in their homes.  Usually more than one family/farm share outhouses and have answering machines in them as well.  There are Amish one room schoolhouse as well.

Traveled some back roads …

… saw some strange carriages.

We went to an amish buffet for suppah at the “Das Dutchman Essenhaus”.  Food good but pricey with extra charge for beverage and pie slice.

On the same Essenhaus property, there were shops and gardens.  The quilt garden was beautiful.

Now, I have ever to explain the next group of photos … we stopped a couple different times to see cows (OF COURSE).  Each time we did, they came running over to the fence to say hi to me!!! Made my day!

Of course Speckles & Mel had a fun day and ended up hang’n with Molly.

Tomorrow … the “Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market”.

PS… Found a thrift store and found this bargain…